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CATCH OF THE WEEK |
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Patrice Camillieri, from France, caught and released this false albacore on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf in Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.
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BRADENTON – Gag grouper recreational harvest closed Dec. 4. Winds will remain at near cautionary levels through midweek due to a series of cold fronts that will push into the area during the beginning of the week. Trout, blues, Spanish mackerel, jacks and more should also be good options on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay next week, according to our contributing captain, Rick Grassett.
State waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties were open from April 1 through June 30 and were not open during the July 1 through Dec. 3 season. Monroe County is also excluded from the July 1 through Dec. 3 season because it follows Atlantic rules for gag grouper.
Snook harvest seasonal closure in Gulf started Dec. 1
The recreational harvest season for snook closes Dec. 1 in Gulf state and federal waters, including Monroe County and Everglades National Park, and will remain closed through Feb. 28, 2015, reopening to harvest March 1, 2015. Snook can continue to be caught and released during the closed season.
This and other regular season closures are designed to help protect the species during vulnerable times such as cold weather. Atlantic state and federal waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, will close Dec. 15 this year through Jan. 31, 2015, reopening to harvest Feb. 1, 2015.
FWC seeks input on proposed manatee zones for western Pinellas
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), at its Nov. 20 meeting in Key Largo, approved publication of a draft rule for new manatee protection zones for inshore waters of western Pinellas County.
FWC staff will seek further public input on these proposed zones through a public comment period that will include at least one additional public meeting in Pinellas County. Written comments will also be accepted and can be submitted by mail or email.
Red grouper conservation measures approved
At its meeting in Key Largo on Nov. 20, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved lowering of the red grouper recreational bag limit from four to two fish per person in Gulf of Mexico state waters, excluding Monroe County.
The Commission hopes that this change will mean an increase in the length of the recreational red grouper season in federal waters, which closed early this year because the recreational catch limit was exceeded in 2013.
WEEKLY FISHING REPORT BY CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
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Capt. Rick DePaiva, from Ft. Myers, FL, battles a tarpon jumped on a fly while fishing the coastal gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett. |
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, blues and redfish in the ICW near Venice, trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks in Sarasota Bay and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and top water plugs during the past week.
Patrice Camillieri, from France, fished with me on Monday. He caught and released a few trout and ladyfish on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly in Sarasota Bay and false albacore in the coastal gulf on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. We also spent some time sight fishing for tripletail and he hooked a big one. The tripletail went around the crab trap float and line and straightened the hook!
Sarasota winter resident Mike Perez fished the ICW near Venice with me on Tuesday night. With a strong tide and water in the mid 60s, snook went on a glass minnow binge. He had fast action catching and releasing snook to 26 inches and a 5-pound blue on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly, which is a glass minnow imitation.
Bill Rhodes, from Hernando Beach, did the same thing with me on Wednesday night and it was just as good. In addition to fast action with snook to 26 inches, he also caught and released a 5-pound blue and a 24-inch red on my Grassett Snook Minnow and another glass minnow fly pattern. He fished Sarasota Bay the next day with me and caught and released trout and Spanish mackerel on a tandem fly rig consisting of a Clouser and a glass minnow fly pattern. Works well!
Randy Powell and Ben Hatcher, both from Sarasota, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Saturday. With a negative low tide in the morning, we worked edges of sand bars and flats. Later in the day we fished deep grass flats. They caught and released a few trout, jacks and bluefish on CAL jigs with shad tails and top water plugs.
Catch and release night snook fishing in the ICW is a good option now. Fish peak tidal flows for the best action. Trout, blues, Spanish mackerel, jacks and more should also be good options on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds and big trout mixed with mullet schools on shallow flats. Tripletail and false albacore should be good options in the coastal gulf depending on conditions. Look for albies feeding near the surface and tripletail around crab trap buoys.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
Fishing Forecast
Winds will remain at near cautionary levels through midweek due to a series of cold fronts that will push into the area during the beginning of the week.
Monday
North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Monday night will bring north winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.
2014/12/08 Mon 12:03 AM 2.32 H
2014/12/08 Mon 08:26 AM -0.42 L
2014/12/08 Mon 03:06 PM 1.3 H
2014/12/08 Mon 06:59 PM 1.07 L
Tuesday
North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Tuesday night will bring north winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.
2014/12/09 Tue 12:40 AM 2.23 H
2014/12/09 Tue 09:02 AM -0.34 L
2014/12/09 Tue 03:38 PM 1.31 H
2014/12/09 Tue 07:47 PM 1.05 L
Wednesday
North winds 10 to 15 knots then becoming northwest 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Wednesday night will bring north winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2014/12/10 Wed 01:20 AM 2.1 H
2014/12/10 Wed 09:39 AM -0.24 L
2014/12/10 Wed 04:12 PM 1.34 H
2014/12/10 Wed 08:44 PM 1.03 L
Thursday
North winds around 5 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters smooth. Thursday night will bring north winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet or less. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2014/12/11 Thu 02:04 AM 1.93 H
2014/12/11 Thu 10:18 AM -0.12 L
2014/12/11 Thu 04:48 PM 1.39 H
2014/12/11 Thu 09:52 PM 1.0 L
Friday
North winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet or less. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2014/12/12 Fri 02:56 AM 1.72 H
2014/12/12 Fri 10:59 AM 0.02 L
2014/12/12 Fri 05:26 PM 1.47 H
2014/12/12 Fri 11:13 PM 0.92 L
Solunar Forecast
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